Today is 1st April 2018, Not really sure if this is one of Google April Fools’ joke or not – I, myself, don’t think so – but Google is shutting down its URL Shortener service that has been launched since 2009.

This is what Google said on goo.gl front page:

Starting March 30, 2018, we will be turning down support for goo.gl URL shortener. From April 13, 2018 only existing users will be able to create short links on the goo.gl console. You will be able to view your analytics data and download your short link information in csv format for up to one year, until March 30, 2019, when we will discontinue goo.gl. Previously created links will continue to redirect to their intended destination.

If You Are Existing users of Goo.gl

You can still create a new shortened URL on goo.gl like usual until next year 30th March 2019. During that time, you can also download into CSV format – all of your short links and their analytics data.

After 30th March 2018, you will no longer be able to create a new shortened link on goo.gl and you won’t be able to download the short links and analytics data anymore.

However, any existing short links you have made with goo.gl will still works. Good job Google, at least I and the other goo.gl users won’t need to change our pages to update goo.gl url links to something else.

If You Are New to Goo.gl

Though you can still register and make use of goo.gl until 13th April 2018, but it’s really recommended for you to jump straight into Google new URL shortener service mentioned below. Save you the hassle and time.

Goo.gl is Shutting Down. Now What? What Are The Replacement?

goo.gl: Number of links getting shortened by me to-date

Google is not entirely closing its URL shortener service “shop”, but instead Google is making ready (it’s ready, by the way) a new more advance URL shortening service that not just do URL shortening, but also enable deep linking to your links. The new URL shortening Service with deep linking is called: Firebase Dynamic Links. More info, check here on Google Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL) official website.

Read my original article telling about how you can freely, easily and reliably track links with goo.gl here.

Do you think this is one of Google April Fools’ Joke?

Well I, myself, don’t think so. It’s really time for Google to introduce something more advance than just a URL shortening service. However I do think rather than creating separate URL domain for it, best if Google can make use its existing goo.gl URL to embed all the new advancements and functionalities.

What do you think, is this one of Google April Fools’ Joke? Give your thoughts and comments down below on comment section.

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